Bellanova: “agriculture must be supported with adequate resources. Origin labeling a consumer right ”
A cordial and close discussion on European action in support of agriculture and food supply chains, Italian and European: this was the theme at the center of the bilateral that took place yesterday by videoconference between the Minister of Agriculture Teresa Bellanova and the German counterpart Julia Kloeckner, who will take over the presidency of the European Agriculture Council from 360 July.
The impact of Covid 19 on the sector, the multiannual financial framework, the Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the CAP reform and the labeling of agri-food products are the topics at the center of the comparison. On the CAP in particular, Minister Bellanova wanted to emphasize how our country "will never accept a continuation of the mechanism of external convergence, without any compensation in return", and stress the importance of adequate economic measures measures aimed at promoting adaptation of the agricultural sector to climate change: "There is no attention to the need to strengthen risk management measures, and in this regard the sector cannot be left alone," reiterated Bellanova. "If we want to guarantee the green transition, we must also guarantee competitiveness for companies in the face of the climate challenge".
As for labeling, Bellanova once again wanted to focus on the Italian position because, he said, “declaring the origin of food raw materials transparently is a consumer right. Nor can we wait for the fourth quarter of 2022, the deadline indicated by the Commission, for European legislation on the matter.
“We need more courage and close choices on the products for which national experiments have already been conducted, such as milk, processed meats, cheeses, pasta, rice, tomato derivatives. We are for the labeling of origin and opposed to the nutritional one with judgments of "health" not supported by science. The Italian proposal for a battery system is more consistent with current European legislation, with the objectives of the "farm-to-fork" strategy and better corresponding to the variety and richness of traditional healthy and sustainable diets, such as the Mediterranean Diet ", concluded Minister Bellanova.
Finally, addressing the wish of good work to Klockner for the next delicate commitment: "For my part," said the Minister, "I guarantee all my availability for a common job. I am sure that the pragmatism that characterizes us, and that characterizes the experience of women, will also be precious in the search for innovative solutions, precious for this strategic sector ".